Not always about which bike is faster. I'd take the Duc over the BMW. Funny how "faster" in "street"/"dyno"/magazine tests isn't really translating into "faster" in WSBK though. Last year Checa was pounding the competition with his 1098R, while BMW barely had 3 podiums (all 3rd place.) BMW is certainly looking better this year, but the "old" 1098R is still leading the pack with podiums and wins....

Plus, MCN is the Car&Driver of Motorcycle reviewers, they always pick the BMW.

My plan is to pick up a 2013 1199S/Tricolore in 2015, figure I'll be able to get it for half price and all the "Mk 1 Mod 0" gremlins will be gone. Much like how I bought my 2008 1098S...

Don't know if you guys know but BMW just had their first maiden win in WSBK this past weekend. Both BMW riders had race two could have nabbed a BMW 1-2 Leon got shoved by Rea and collided with teammate Melandi, who had won the first race for BMW.

Also, Audi had fuck all to do with the current Panigale and I doubt they will have anything to do with next iterations. It was simply a trophy buy for VW group. They have no motorcycle experience and I take it they will just be relegated to signing papers and giving the go ahead.

Don't know if you guys know but BMW just had their first maiden win in WSBK this past weekend. Both BMW riders had race two could have nabbed a BMW 1-2 Leon got shoved by Rea and collided with teammate Melandi, who had won the first race for BMW.

Thanks for the spoiler! I haven't had a chance to watch the races yet......

I really don't think the MSF course does anything to make you a "good" rider. In terms of school, MSF is pre-school. Nothing they teach you there will save your life. I remember taking it 15 years ago and saying, that's it? I've since taken an advance riding refresher, and that was a "bit" better.

To me, the track and track instruction is the only place you will become a good rider, no matter what you ride. You can explore fast riding, fast braking and fast maneuvers that really translate into street riding imo.

No flaming but I do respectfully disagree.

When I took my MSF course, I had never ridden or even started a bike, and never yet driven an MT car. So I was at zero and pre-school was what I needed to build the confidence for basic neighborhood street riding.

The turning, counter steering, and locking brakes lessons really did help me and in my first year of riding (a beater 1991 GS500 for my first bike) I still believe I avoided a few situations as a result of having taken the course.

I went back for the advanced course and got more out of that. I have been riding 12 years now, have done Reg Pridmore's CLASS, WSMC club racing on an SV650 - 632 was my race number hence my user name - and loads of track days, I still credit MSF with giving me a good start as a rider which also helped shape my mindset, and I recommend it to new riders every time.

All in all the value of MSF may vary based on an individual's prior experience with bikes, or maybe dirt bikes, but for a majority of the riders who just want to get a bike and are not going to ever take it to a track and have no experience, I think it is a good thing. Especially the 'my friend is going to teach me how to ride' crowd... They need it most!

I don't have a name for my Diavel yet but the K1200R was affectionately called Herr Terminator. She had LASER full system, carbon fiber belly pan, side panels, rear seat cowl, front fairing, handlebar guards, and other CF bits and pieces. That thing was BAD.

The Diavel is mostly stock, except I've added a CF front sprocket cover, my only mod so far. Next is the Bursig stand for sure!

Sorry for bad quality Diavel pic - was a phone pic the day I installed sprocket cover. The K1200R pics were taken in a parking garage at a place I used to work, with a Canon Rebel XTi and 10-22mm ultra-wideangle lens.

True story: I moved to Florida and was living in a hotel for a week (already had a job lined up) while I looked for a place to live; my 2001 325Ci was in transport, so I had no car, and I had sold my bike in California. The very next day after being here, without even a place to leave the bike, I went out and got Herr Terminator - couldn't be without a bike that long!

I don't have a name for my Diavel yet but the K1200R was affectionately called Herr Terminator. She had LASER full system, carbon fiber belly pan, side panels, rear seat cowl, front fairing, handlebar guards, and other CF bits and pieces. That thing was BAD.

The Diavel is mostly stock, except I've added a CF front sprocket cover, my only mod so far. Next is the Bursig stand for sure!

Sorry for bad quality Diavel pic - was a phone pic the day I installed sprocket cover. The K1200R pics were taken in a parking garage at a place I used to work, with a Canon Rebel XTi and 10-22mm ultra-wideangle lens.

True story: I moved to Florida and was living in a hotel for a week (already had a job lined up) while I looked for a place to live; my 2001 325Ci was in transport, so I had no car, and I had sold my bike in California. The very next day after being here, without even a place to leave the bike, I went out and got Herr Terminator - couldn't be without a bike that long!

Saw your V-Rod and it's very nice too... funny about your "most people have a sportbike" comment - as a sportbike guy I've always liked the V-Rod of all the Harley bikes the best - I always said if I got a Harley the V-Rod would be the one I'd get.

Then Ducati came out with the Diavel and, well, that decision was all over

Problem here in Florida is getting a hard core sportbike feels like a waste, there are no corners anywhere... just freeway onramps and the track. OK there are maybe 3 corners but not more!

For a streetbike, I wanted something suitable for Florida - something that kicks ass in a straight line, since straight line roads are all we basically have.

Hence the K1200R and Diavel ... your V-Rod makes perfect sense down here too. I have nothing to prove to anyone anymore but my Diavel ain't slow either